Women's Resource Center welcomes new staff members

July 02, 2001|By Michael Jones

Therapist Cynthia Mitchell, MSW, and Lisa Leist, counselor/advocate, join Mary Hotchkiss, substance abuse specialist and counselor, to round out the staff at the Gaylord office, located at 200 S. Court St.

The WRC provides services to a five-county area, which includes Otsego, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. Counseling is available at the Gaylord, Mancelona and Cheboygan outreach offices and at the main office in Petoskey.

The Domestic and Sexual Assault Program offers services and support to victims and their families. Counseling services include substance abuse, child sexual and physical abuse, and general counseling for both children and adults.

The program also provides information and referrals to other community agencies.

"I provide services and support to victims of domestic or sexual violence, most of whom are adult women," said Leist, who was employed by Child and Family Services as a foster care specialist prior to joining the WRC staff in Gaylord. "Most of the clients I see are in a crisis situation and I offer counseling and make referrals as needed."

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Leist said in a crisis situation it is sometimes her job to help a woman find shelter and remove herself from a threatening or abusive situation.

In some instances that may mean making arrangements for the woman and any children involved, to stay at the WRC safe house in the area.

"The amount of time I work with someone in a crisis situation is going to vary. I don't have a set timeline for how long I can work with a client. Generally, I work with them until they have worked through their crisis," she said.

Once a client has passed through their initial crisis if there are still unresolved issues Leist may refer them to Mitchell for further counseling or therapy. "When children are involved in a threatening or abusive situation they are usually referred to me," said Mitchell, who has been with the WRC for about four years.

"I can work with clients of all ages and receive referrals from just about anywhere. Most people come in on their own seeking individual counseling for a wide variety of problems; not just for domestic violence or abusive situations," said Mitchell, who also specializes in working with children who are dealing with trauma and loss in their lives.

The WRC also provides prevention and educational programs in the five-county area. A Domestic Abuse Educational Support Group meets in Gaylord on Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m.

The Gaylord office is open Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 989-731-0918. The WRC also has a 24-hour crisis and information hotline at 1-800-275-1995.